Community Activities

Little League Coach, San Dimas Little League (2010–2016)

Regional Soccer Referee, AYSO Region 112 (2013–2016)

Youth Soccer Coach, AYSO Region 112 (2009–2015)

Biography

As a science teacher and education organization executive, Ruth Luevand is the best-suited candidate for this job, and during the course of the campaign she will work tirelessly to earn your vote. Ruth is focused on addressing the challenges facing our district, the opportunities to continue to elevate the quality of education for the students, and strategies to ensure that we face these tasks with fiscal responsibility and as good stewards of the residents’ tax dollars.

For many years, Ruth has been sending her students to Mt. SAC and interacting with them, the faculty and the administration. During that time, she has gained a clearer understanding of the challenges and opportunities we all face as a community.

After being selected as teacher of the year for a second time, Ruth decided five years ago to become more actively involved in the California Teachers Association and her surrounding community. Since the beginning of this journey, she has dedicated herself to becoming an engaged education advocate. As former President of the Bonita Unified Teachers Association, Ruth ensured teachers and school district officials maintained open lines of communication and collaboration, even in these tough economic times. Ruth’s experiences as association president, along with other leadership roles locally, statewide and nationally have allowed her to understand best practices for facilitating positive interactions between association members and administration, actively participate in the Local Control and Accountability Plan process with all stakeholders, and implement reforms that encourage educators to become more involved with their community. In addition, Ruth’s service as the Service Center One Treasurer and Coordinated Bargaining Chair has provided her with great insight into how a Service Center with over 30,000 members operates and how to meet the basic fiscal needs of CTA members.

Who supports this candidate?

Organizations (3)

Mt. San Antonio Faculty Association

National Women’s Political Caucus

San Gabriel Valley Progressives

Elected Officials (7)

Susan Rubio - Baldwin Park City Council Member

Mark Ramos - President of UFCW 1428

Matt Lyons - Bonita Unified School District Board of Education

Glenn Creiman - Bonita Unified School District Board of Education

Laura Santos - Mt. Sac Board of Trustees

Chuck Coyne - President of the Bonita Unified School District Board of Education

Ryan A Vienna, San Dimas City Council Member

Individuals (1)

David Pena, McKinley Children’s Center Board of Directors Vice Chair

Political Beliefs

Political Philosophy

Ruth’s beliefs are very closely aligned with the core Democratic values of inclusion, equity, innovation, and commitment to public education. Ruth believes in strengthening the community and small business through educational partnerships. She understands that by working with the community and its supporters both financially and ideologically, it is possible to strengthen the bonds between our educational institutions and the local community. In essence, this merging of community members with our faculty, gives strength to the organizing potential of our college while maintaining a continual and positive relationship with the community in which we serve.

Since education advocacy is so vital to positive relationship building, it is equally important to maintain solidarity within our colleges and our educators, so that professors can embrace diversity within the surrounding community, while maintaining respect for each person’s individuality. Clearly, there is a connection between local unity and commitment to education, as defined by the faculty and leadership at Mt. San Antonio College, who engage the community in activities that develop and foster high quality educational programs in both academics and within the fields of career and technical education. Because she believes strongly in improving the quality of community college education, an opportunity to serve on the Board of Trustees would allow Ruth the privilege to work with all facets of public education to achieve the educational goals that best serve our community and our students.

Mt. SAC College, like all community college systems, are facing drastic challenges. Sacramento has changed our colleges statewide funding formula and we must align ourselves to the master plan with the current budget. Smarter and transparent administrative decisions must be implemented and Ruth is the best candidate to move the college forward.

With over 17 years living in the district, twice chosen as teacher of the year and serving in multiple leadership positions, Ruth has worked to negotiate, reconcile and find new funding for our targeted programs. As a Trustee, she will work with the community, students, faculty, and staff to find equitable solutions and succeed.

Ruth’s Promise:

· Be the best steward of your hard-earned tax dollars

· Maintain accessible/affordable education for all students

· Expand much needed technical trade education

· Foster Innovative private-public partnerships

· Constantly improve campus safety for students and staff

To learn more about her stance on the issues that matter to you, please visit:

Education

Community Activities

Political Beliefs

Position Papers

Why I am running

Summary

Why I am running

I AM PROPOSING CONSIDERATION OF THE FOLLOWING IDEAS:

1. GreaterUse of Satellite Campuses AND online courses. Providing better access to the residents of Covina, Charter Oaks and San Dimas. Helping students facing economic challenges still learn and achieve at Mt SAC. We need to take our classes to where the students live.

2.Decrease class size and increase teacher student ratios. To provide students with better educational experiences that are tailored to their needs while in college. We can ensure their transition to UCLA, UCI, etc., by doing this! We can make sure that everyone who enters Mt Sac graduates with their certificate, AA or transfers to a 4 year. Let’s have a plan to help students achieve your dreams.

3.Lessen the intersection traffic that has resulted in major intersections receiving a failing grade. THIS INCREASES RISK OF ACCIDENTS involving students, residents and visitors. There are almost monthly accidents at Mountaineer and Grand.

4.Building partnerships with other under-utilized community colleges. USING THE MT SAC BRAND to offer some MT SAC courses on theunder-utilized community colleges that students pass to come to MT SAC to lessen their drive time, stress and improve graduation rates.

5.Early involvement of Mt SAC leadership with community organizations concerned with abuse of taxpayer monies.This will bring it back to a partnership with surrounding communities where balancing the needs of the students and the community go hand in hand.

6.Early involvement of Mt SAC leadership with LOCAL city governments, community organizations together with regional developers to minimize the effects of CUMULATIVE OVER BUILDING IN THIS AREA.

7.Development of a top to bottom review of past practices and the implementation of better practices monitored and reported on by a GOOD PRACTICES CITIZENS OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE. I want you to join me. I want your voices to be heard that is why we should create a GOOD PRACTICES CITIZENS OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE.

8.THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TERM LIMITS TO NO MORE THAN TWO TERMS PER CANDIDATE. Many Trustees have served over 20 years.

9.Video broadcasting of Board of Trustee meetings so everyone can hear and see how Mt SAC conducts its business meetings.

10.Development of a campus evacuation plan with local input in the event of fire, earthquake or a campus shooter situation.